The Isle
Release Date: December 2, 2015 Early Access
Action, TPP, dinosaurs, sandbox, survival, indie games, MMO, internet
Steam
A survival sandbox, in which the player assumes the role of a dinosaur. The Isle Development Team enabled the player to control creatures like Austroraptor, Carnotaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Gallimimus, Utahraptor, Acrocanthosaurus and Allosaurus. The main and only objective of the game is to survive on an island the size of more than a dozen of square kilometers.
The Isle is an independent survival sandbox in the MMO convention developed by the American studio The Isle Development Team, for which this is a debut game. However, the developers have already had contact with games about dinosaurs, as they co-created several similar titles in other companies. The project focuses on these extinct reptiles, but in contrast to ARK: Survival Evolved in the game we take direct control over these animals.
Gameplay
The action of The Isle takes place on a fictional island inhabited by dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles, for which the mysterious Apollo Engineering organization is apparently responsible. As in any survival game, the primary goal in this one is to survive. Players find themselves on a vast island (over 16 square kilometers) inhabited by dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles. The developers have prepared more than a dozen types of these creatures; there are austroraptor, triceratops, carnotaurus, tyrannosaurus rex, gallimimus, utahraptor, acrocanthosaurus or allosaurus.
Controlling one of the reptiles, we have to provide them with all the things they need to live - food and water above all. Travelling through forests and swamps we look for food, but as a predator we have to hunt smaller specimens, avoid bigger, more dangerous ones and grow or climb up the food chain by changing into stronger dinosaur species. On one server there can be up to one hundred players, but it doesn't mean that we meet only them. During the game we come across animals controlled by the artificial intelligence. It is also worth mentioning the possibility of joining the herd or setting up nests, which greatly facilitates survival. The hatched offspring must be taken care of later, and another person can play the role of a small dinosaur.
The Isle is a realistic 3D game based on Unreal Engine technology. Diverse locations deserve special attention, but the dinosaurs themselves also look very good, both in terms of detailed models and animation. The authors have also taken care of the realistic dinosaur tracks on the surface and the sounds of the environment.
Survival and sandbox
In The Isle we will find two basic game modes. The main attraction is Survival, in which we start as a young dinosaur and - as the name suggests - try to survive long enough for the animal we control to reach adulthood. Sandbox, on the other hand, allows us to start the game as a fully developed representative of any of the available species of prehistoric reptiles. In addition, there is Progression, in which we start from the smallest species of animals and gradually advance by transforming into bigger and more dangerous beasts. However, this mode is no longer developed.
The Isle also offers the ability to create your own servers with slightly different rules from those prevailing on the official "worlds" prepared by the developers.
The Isle: Legacy and EVRIMA
At the turn of 2019 and 2020, the developers decided to completely rebuild the source code of The Isle. The condition of the game version at that time prevented or significantly hindered the introduction of major modifications, and some systems were, according to the developers, outdated. As a result of this decision the game was split into two versions: Legacy and EVRIMA. Both are being developed by the authors, with Legacy being updated less frequently than the new release.
Legacy is the original version of The Isle, which has been in active development since 2015, and as of now (as of mid-2021) boasts a greater variety of dinosaurs. Compared to it, EVRIMA (available June 19, 2020 via the "Beta" feature on Steam) offers many improvements, albeit introduced to the game gradually. This includes a collision system for dinosaur models, perks, and special abilities unique to each species, such as carnotaurus charge and utahraptor jump. The tracking system has also been improved, which, along with other changes (including bonuses from a healthy diet that force migration), discourages staying in one place for too long (for example, hiding in the same bush all the time). In addition, it is now possible to pick off pieces of meat and carry them to safety (or, in the case of larger predators, to take the entire animal).
In addition to these and other changes, there are new features yet to be developed, such as human factions (both modern mercenaries and primitive natives), an improved day and night cycle, sexual dimorphism of dinosaurs, and new playable species and strains (special, advanced versions) of prehistoric reptiles (including flying and aquatic ones). The developers also anticipate fan modification support and plenty of technical improvements.
Last updated on October 20, 2017
Videos and Screens
[5:07] The Isle trailer #1
The main pros of the game
- Immersive Graphics and Atmosphere: Many players praised the game's graphics, animations, and overall immersive experience, which effectively creates a prehistoric environment.
- Unique Concept: The idea of playing as a dinosaur in a survival setting is appealing to many, especially those who are dinosaur enthusiasts.
- Diverse Gameplay Styles: Players can adopt different play styles based on the dinosaur they choose, whether aggressive or more passive.
- Strong Community: There are mentions of an active community that provides support and feedback, which can enhance the experience for players.
- Potential for Growth: Some users see potential in the game and appreciate the ongoing development and updates, indicating that the game could improve over time.
The main cons of the game
- Poor Optimization: Many reviews highlighted significant performance issues, including low frame rates even on high-end hardware and frequent server crashes.
- Bugs and Glitches: Players reported numerous bugs, including getting stuck in the environment, issues with AI, and game-breaking glitches that lead to frustrating experiences.
- Lack of Content: Users expressed disappointment with the slow rollout of new content and features, feeling that the game has not progressed significantly despite being in early access for years.
- Unbalanced Gameplay: There are complaints about the balance between different dinosaur species, with some being overpowered while others are underwhelming.
- Server Issues: Many players faced challenges with server availability, long wait times to join, and issues finding active servers.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Better AI and NPCs: Players desire more engaging AI that could provide a better survival experience, rather than relying heavily on PvP interactions.
- Improved Gameplay Mechanics: Suggestions for better hunting mechanics, food availability, and overall gameplay loops that incorporate both PvE and PvP elements were common.
- Tutorials and Guidance: New players often find the lack of tutorials or clear instructions frustrating, making it difficult to understand the game's mechanics.
- Peer-to-Peer Hosting: Many users expressed a need for more flexible hosting options to avoid the issues associated with public servers.
- More Engaging Endgame Content: Players are looking for compelling endgame options or activities that provide a reason to continue playing after reaching full size.
Summary
- In summary, while "The Isle" has a dedicated fanbase and a unique concept, it faces significant challenges regarding optimization, bugs, content rollout, and balancing that detract from the overall player experience.
Summary generated on:
The Isle Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Afterthought LLC
Publisher: Afterthought LLC
Age restrictions: 12+
The Isle System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Quad Core 3.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 960 / 3 GB Radeon R9 280X or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Quad Core 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1070 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
The Isle just hit a new record on Steam, showing that dino survival is still going strong in the genre
The Isle’s EVRIMA overhaul is shaping the best dinosaur game yet. 10 years later, it’s bigger, better, and still evolving.
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Expanded nesting mechanics were introduced to The Isle in the latest update. Here you will learn how to set up a nest and how to care for the eggs.
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Dinosaur Survival Game The Isle on Beautiful Gameplay Trailer
Survival game The Isle has received a new, big update. Along with it, a lovely gameplay trailer has hit the web.
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Every Evening Thousands of People Role-play as Dinosaurs in The Isle
The Isle, survival game from Afterthought LLC, has conquered the hearts of players, even though the game still hasn't left early access. The secret lies in the dinosaurs because that's what we become when we play the game.
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November 27, 2019